Brake wear indicating device

Abstract

A brake wear indicating device (10) including an insulated electrical conductor (12) with an electrical connector (16) at one end (18) for electrical connection with a warning device and, an end cap (20) of electrically insulating material on the other end (22) of the electrical conductor. The electrically insulating material secures the brake wear indicating device of an aperture (24) in a backing plate (26) of a brake pad (28) or brake shoe with the other end of the electrical conductor passing through an aperture in the backing plate from an outer surface (30) thereof to protrude from an inner surface (32) thereof. The end cap includes an abutment edge (38) for engaging the outer surface of the backing plate, a cap portion (40) secured to the other end of the electrical conductor. The end cap also has a shoulder (42) for engaging the inner surface of the backing plate, and at least one resiliently flexible finger (44) positionable in, and extensible through, the aperture and having a lip (46) for making a latching engagement with the inner surface of the backing plate.

We claim: 
     
       1. A brake wear indicating device comprising an insulated electrical conductor; connecting means electrically connected to one end of the electrical conductor for electrical connection with a warning device; and an end cap of electrically insulating material on the other end of the electrical conductor for securing the brake wear indicating device in an aperture in a backing plate of a brake pad or brake shoe with said other end of the electrical conductor passing through the aperture in the backing plate from an outer surface thereof to protrude from an inner surface thereof, and the end cap allowing the indicating device to be removed and later be resecured in the aperture of the backing plate, the end cap comprising an abutment edge for engaging the outer surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, a cap portion secured to said other end of the electrical conductor and having a shoulder for engaging the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, the cap portion mounting the electrical conductor eccentrically within the aperture, and at least a first resiliently flexible finger positionable in and extensible through the aperture, and the finger within the aperture being separated from the cap portion within the aperture by a spacial gap between the finger and the cap portion, and the finger having a lip for making a latch engagement with the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture and the brake wear indicating device including a plug member separated from the electrical conductor, the plug member being insertable in the spacial gap between the cap portion of the end cap and the at least one finger, the plug member having a rib for connection with a groove in the cap portion of the end cap. 
     
     
       2. A brake wear indicating device as claimed in claim 1, including at least a second resiliently flexible finger. 
     
     
       3. A brake wear indicating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cap portion of the end cap encapsulates and seals the other end of the electrical conductor. 
     
     
       4. A brake wear indicating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting means is an electrical male terminal. 
     
     
       5. A brake wear indicating device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end cap is glued on to the electrical conductor. 
     
     
       6. A brake wear indicating device comprising an insulated electrical conductor; connecting means electrically connected to one end of the electrical conductor for electrical connection with a warning device; and an end cap of electrically insulating material on the other end of the electrical conductor for securing he brake wear indicating device in an aperture in a backing plate of a brake pad or brake shoe with said other end of the electrical conductor passing through the aperture in the backing plate from an outer surface thereof to protrude from an inner surface thereof, and the end cap allowing the indicating device to be removed and later be resecured in the aperture of the backing plate, the end cap comprising an abutment edge for engaging the outer surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, a cap portion secured to said other end of the electrical conductor and having a shoulder for engaging the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, the cap portion mounting the electrical conductor eccentrically within the aperture, and at least a first resiliently flexible finger positionable in and extensible through the aperture, and the finger within the aperture being separated from the cap portion within the aperture by a spacial gap between the finger and the cap portion, and the finger having a lip for making a latch engagement with the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture and the brake wear indicating device including a plug member separated from the electrical conductor, the plug member being insertable in the spacial gap between the cap portion of the end cap and the at least one finger, the plug member having a rib for connection with a groove in the finger. 
     
     
       7. A brake wear indicating device as claimed in claim 6 including at least a second resiliently flexible finger. 
     
     
       8. A brake wear indicating device comprising an insulated electrical conductor; connecting means electrically connected to one end of the electrical conductor for electrical connection with a warning device; and an end cap of electrically insulating material on the other end of the electrical conductor for securing he brake wear indicating device in an aperture in a backing plate of a brake pad or brake shoe with said other end of the electrical conductor passing through the aperture in the backing plate from an outer surface thereof to protrude from an inner surface thereof, and the end cap allowing the indicating device to be removed and later be resecured in the aperture of the backing plate, the end cap comprising an abutment edge for engaging the outer surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, a cap portion secured to said other end of the electrical conductor and having a shoulder for engaging the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, the cap portion mounting the electrical conductor eccentrically within the aperture, and at least a first resiliently flexible finger positionable in and extensible through the aperture, and the finger within the aperture being separated from the cap portion within the aperture by a spacial gap between the finger and the cap portion, and the finger having a lip for making a latch engagement with the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture and the brake wear indicating device including a plug member separated from the electrical conductor, the plug member being insertable in the spacial gap between the cap portion of the end cap and the at least one finger, the plug member having a groove for connection with a rib in the cap portion of the end cap. 
     
     
       9. A brake wear indicating device as claimed in claim 8, including at least a second resiliently flexible finger. 
     
     
       10. A brake wear indicating device comprising an insulated electrical conductor; connecting means electrically connected to one end of the electrical conductor for electrical connection with a warning device; and an end cap of electrically insulating material on the other end of the electrical conductor for securing he brake wear indicating device in an aperture in a backing plate of a brake pad or brake shoe with said other end of the electrical conductor passing through the aperture in the backing plate from an outer surface thereof to protrude from an inner surface thereof, and the end cap allowing the indicating device to be removed and later be resecured in the aperture of the backing plate, the end cap comprising an abutment edge for engaging the outer surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, a cap portion secured to said other end of the electrical conductor and having a shoulder for engaging the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture, the cap portion mounting the electrical conductor eccentrically within the aperture, and at least a first resiliently flexible finger positionable in and extensible through the aperture, and the finger within the aperture being separated from the cap portion within the aperture by a spacial gap between the finger and the cap portion, and the finger having a lip for making a latch engagement with the inner surface of the backing plate adjacent the periphery of the aperture and the brake wear indicating device including a plug member separated from the electrical conductor, the plug member being insertable in the spacial gap between the cap portion of the end cap and the at least one finger, the plug member having a groove for connection with a rib on the finger. 
     
     
       11. A brake wear indicting device as claimed in claim 10 including at least a second resiliently flexible finger.